Capital Outlay & Capital Projects Manager

Job Details

Job Location: Main Campus - Las Vegas NM - Las Vegas, NM 87701

Position Type: Full Time

Education Level: Bachelor's Degree

Salary Range: $56,076.00 - $84,115.00 Salary

Travel Percentage: None

Job Category: Staff

Description

The Capital Outlay & Capital Projects Manager leads NMHU’s end-to-end capital outlay planning, submissions, compliance, and project delivery for new construction, major renovations, and infrastructure improvements. This position serves as NMHU’s primary coordinator for the annual and multi-year capital planning cycle, supporting executive leadership in developing priorities and ensuring projects are submission-ready, compliant, and successfully executed.

The role coordinates closely with the New Mexico Higher Education Department (NMHED) Capital Projects Division and the New Mexico Department of Finance & Administration (DFA) capital outlay process, including hearings, approvals, grant agreement administration, reporting, and draw requests. NMHED’s capital outlay program includes annual hearings and prioritization of projects from institutions’ five-year capital plans, plus ongoing compliance and project review before construction.

Key responsibilities

1. Capital outlay planning & submissions (NMHED / DFA / Legislative cycle)
   • Lead NMHU’s annual capital outlay request cycle and support the five-year capital plan and supporting project documentation used for statewide review and prioritization.
   • Coordinate development of project scopes, budgets, schedules, cost estimates, and readiness materials (design status, site conditions, delivery method, procurement approach).
   • Prepare and manage submissions and supporting documentation required for NMHED and DFA workflows, including coordination of legislative tracking requirements (e.g., ensuring required project identifiers are in place prior to submission where applicable). DFA’s capital outlay guidance references submission prerequisites and project identification tied to the legislative request system.
   • Organize NMHU preparation for NMHED Capital Outlay Committee hearings and related presentations, aligning institutional priorities with the state process.
2. Project oversight from concept through closeout (construction & delivery)
   • Oversee a portfolio of capital projects from planning through design, construction, commissioning, and closeout (including warranty period coordination).
   • Act as owner’s representative for project delivery: coordinate architects/engineers, contractors, testing/inspection, and campus stakeholders.
   • Review design deliverables for constructability and alignment with scope, campus standards, and applicable codes.
   • Track project risks, schedule, change orders, and budget; provide regular executive-level reporting.
3. Compliance, approvals, grant agreements, reporting, and draws
   • Coordinate capital outlay grant agreement compliance, approval steps required prior to construction, and ongoing reporting.
   • Manage timelines and documentation for project approvals and monthly/hearing-based reviews where required.
   • Prepare and submit draw requests and supporting documentation; reconcile expenditures and maintain auditable project files. NMHED describes its role in establishing grant agreements, monitoring requirements, processing draws through the State Board of Finance, and organizing monthly hearings where projects are reviewed and approved prior to construction.
4. Stakeholder coordination & campus integration
   • Convene project user groups and internal partners (facilities, finance, procurement, IT, safety, academics) to confirm requirements and manage expectations.
   • Ensure capital projects align with campus operational needs and long-term institutional goals.

Qualifications

Minimum qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in construction management, engineering, architecture, facilities management, business, or related field.
• 5 years of progressively responsible experience in capital planning and/or construction project management, preferably in higher education or public sector.
• Demonstrated experience managing budgets, schedules, consultants/contractors, and construction documentation.

Preferred qualifications

• Working knowledge of New Mexico capital outlay processes, including DFA/HED compliance, reauthorizations, and legislative cycle timing (UNM lists these as preferred for their capital plan role). Maybe in minimum?
• Experience preparing materials for board/governing approvals and state-level hearings.
• Familiarity with grant agreement administration, reporting, and payment/draw documentation.

EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS:

• Must possess and maintain a valid New Mexico driver's license.
• Must be willing to respond as needed to after hour calls or on an on-call basis.
• Must be willing to work evening, weekends, holidays and odd hours.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES: (list abbreviated for brevity, full list in source)

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: (details on lifting, standing, etc.)

WORK ENVIRONMENT: (exposure to hazards, conditions, etc.)